The Government will not push through proposals that churches argue would restrict their ability to deny jobs to gay people and transsexuals, Equality Minister Harriet Harman has confirmed.

Tatchell says we should be more like Ireland

Peter Tatchell has responded to the revelation of how much the Monarchy is costing the tax payer.

"At a time of austerity and public spending cuts, the monarchy should not be exempt.

The Civil List should face the same cuts as all other government expenditure," said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

He was commenting on the publication today of the royal accounts.

Mr Tatchell is a supporter of Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state. He joined Republic's protest outside Buckingham Palace this morning. The protest's themes were: "Cut the monarchy, not public services" and "Help save the economy, axe the monarchy."

"The Queen is one of the richest women in the world. It is time she and other royals paid their own way, instead of relying so heavily on hand-outs from taxpayers," Mr Tatchell added.

"The government should cut the Civil List and put the money saved into welfare projects such as schools, hospitals and pensions.

"While the official cost of the monarchy is £38 million, the real cost is £100 million, when you take into account security and local civic receptions for the royals. Such huge expenditure cannot be justified at a time of government debt and belt-tightening by the rest the population.

"Britain should replace the monarchy with a low-cost, purely ceremonial elected of state, like Ireland," said Mr Tatchell.